With only soft tires an option for Qualifying, I was worried that there wouldn't be any surprises as there would be no opportunities to play a different card. Ultimately it was good one though. With a capacity crowd. it was great to hear the cheers for Russell and Hamilton. With Russell straight through Q1 and P7 in Q2, will he go backwards during the sprint race? In Q3 he finished P8 ahead of Sainz and Vettel, not too bad. Like most Williams fans, I think this format does not seem to be a winner for us.
It seems unlikely that I would write this but it was quite a nice surprise for Hamilton to take pole position in Qualifying. It bodes well that possibly he can keep the championship race ticking along. With the new format, this is his chance to score much-needed bonus points for the sprint race.
The start of the sprint (not a race, note) was electric, with Verstappen pulling away and Hamilton fighting hard to retake the position. Alonso went from 11th to 5th. No one was expecting the drivers to push to hard. Russell gave everyone a tow off the grid and went backwards, tapping Sainz as he went.
Third of the way through, Perez spun the car (drive error), saved by the gravel trap, he didn't hit the wall and managed to rejoin the track, somewhat dangerously. He was still ahead of Mazepin though, until he retired the car.
What did the sprint change about the grid? Latifi started 17th in Williams, which is perhaps one place ahead of normal. Verstappen took to the front of pack a day earlier than he would have. LeClerc managed to jump ahead of the two McLarens. Russell starts 9th instead of 8th.
How did Verstappen find the sprint? "Nice". The best move of the race/sprint was Alonso's start by far.
Have to say 17 laps seems like quite a long sprint. The laurel wreaths are fun though. The truck they went round in was like an Acme designed Securicor van that escorts prisoners to court.
I wonder how the free tire choice for the whole starting grid will play out...
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